Hickory advances to PIAA semifinals; Lakeview ousted

From staff reports

December 1, 2013 12:01 AM

From staff reports

December 1, 2013 12:01 AM

DuBOIS -- Matt Voytik threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, and Andrew Pryts scored three times to help Hickory rally for a 37-27 win over Martinsburg Central in a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game at DuBois' E.J. Mansell Stadium on Saturday.

The victory, fueled by three touchdowns of 65 yards or more, puts the Hornets (12-1) in the state semifinals against South Fayette, which pummeled Karns City 57-21 Saturday. The date and time of the semifinal matchup will be determined later.

Martinsburg Central, which finished 11-3, led 21-14 at halftime on a pair of touchdown passes from Austin Cunningham to Bradi Moore and a recovered fumble in the end zone.

The Dragons extended their lead to 27-14 on Cunningham's third scoring pass of the day to Moore, this one from 38 yards in the third quarter.

But from that point on, it was all Hickory.

Pryts, whose 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown had enabled Hickory to wipe out a 14-7 lead in the second quarter, had his second big scoring play of the day in the third quarter, hauling in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Voytik.

That cut the margin to 27-21 heading into the final quarter.

Pryts and Voytik then teamed for another score, this one a 90-yard pass from Voytik, which put Hickory on top for the first time at 28-27.

Voytik sealed the win when he ran 12 yards for a touchdown, and Hickory added a safety to finish the scoring.

Voytik finished his day 9-of-14 for 214 yards, rushed for 22 yards and caught a pass for 16 yards. Pryts caught five passes for 180 yards to go with his 85-yard kickoff return.

Neither team could mount much of a running game, as Hickory finished with 92 yards rushing on 38 attempts and the Hornets held Martinsburg Central to 48 yards rushing on 32 carries.

The Dragons' Cunningham completed 8-of-16 passes for 186 yards.

Clarion 35, Lakeview 20: At Slippery Rock, John Katis threw for 178 yards and three touchdowns and Ian Corbett rushed for 165 yards to help the Bobcats (14-0) end the Sailors' season in a Class A quarterfinal game at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Lakeview's Blake Reddick added to his record-setting stat file, rushing for 225 yards on 29 attempts and catching two passes for 24 yards.

Reddick finished the season with 2,967 yards rushing and wound up his career with 6,541 yards. Both are District 10 records.

Clarion advances to take on North Catholic in the PIAA semifinals.

Damien Slike scored a pair of touchdowns, while Cody Hearst caught a pair of scoring passes from Katis.